PB32

Historical Smalt is a gorgeous, gritty deep blue glass that has been colored by cobalt. Unfortunately it has a general tendency toward yellowing when bound in oil paint.

Smalt can be thought of as a broken blue. In the making of smalt, when the molten glass contacts water it shatters. Another way to describe smalt, according to Artiscreation.com, is "Pulverized and ground potassium glass colored blue by cobalt." There is a different, separate pigment called Cobalt Blue which is distinct from Smalt. As a pigment Smalt can vary in terms of particle size and color.

Unfortunately, smalt may darken in an oil painting. There are several different grades of smalt as well as different colors. One deep blue variety is currently called Royal Smalt.

The pigment is rated B for toxicity, so use with caution and use protective gear. We are not health experts but we have heard it is extremely dangerous/hazardous to breathe. Additionally, these pigments contain cobalt. Please see the Artist's Guide to Health and Safety for information about the hazards associated with cobalt pigments in general.